Console hygiene habits
Old consoles drift. A five-minute routine keeps them honest.
The routine
Null all faders before patching, check phantom switches before hot-plugging, and clean the master section contacts monthly. Ninety percent of mystery noise in old consoles is a dirty switch or a forgotten send.
Frequently asked questions
How often should faders be cleaned?
Every few months in a working room; immediately if a channel crackles when touched.